The Meteorological Bureau frequently issues high-temperature warnings, making everyone want to buy a refreshing hand-shaken drink at noon to cool off! Hand-shaken drinks are enjoyable to drink, but they are one of the culprits for weight gain. Doctors remind us that even "sugar-free" drinks can be hidden dangers for obesity.
Bonnie (a pseudonym), 40, used to love drinking bubble tea so much that she drank it every day during the summer. Although she opted for sugar-free versions to avoid feeling too guilty, she still gained 5 kilograms, had her hormones disrupted, and her menstrual cycle came once every two months. Her blood pressure and blood lipids were all elevated, and she was warned by her doctor as being at high risk for heart disease.
The hidden danger in sugar-free bubble tea is the "creamer" Dr. Wu Zhenjin, who treated the case, stated that many people believe that adjusting the sweetness of milk tea to "sugar-free" would not burden their health. However, the hidden danger in bubble tea is not just "sugar." Surprisingly, the creamer in milk tea is actually "hydrogenated vegetable oil!"
Dr. Wu further explained that the creamer does not contain "milk" but is full of "fats." Drinking bubble tea is equivalent to drinking oil. If additional ingredients like pearls are added, a cup of sugar-free bubble tea's calories is equivalent to eating two bowls of white rice.
In summer, everyone loves buying ice-cold hand-shaken drinks to cool off. (Image provided by Heho Health)
Even sugar-free milk tea contains lactose and is not low in calories She suggested that replacing creamer with fresh milk would be better. However, fresh milk contains lactose, proteins, and fats, meaning it is not low in calories either. Drinking two cups of fresh milk tea a day is equivalent to eating a chicken leg lunchbox. She reminded me that even with fresh milk, it should not be consumed excessively.
What should you do if you want to drink? Dr. Wu Zhenjin shared her "3 No's" principle. She explained that drinking hand-shaken beverages after a meal can reduce subsequent sugar absorption. Since food's thermal effect is lower in the evening, drinking in the evening over time causes excess energy to accumulate as fat, leading to weight gain.
The hidden danger in sugar-free bubble tea is the "creamer". (Image provided by Heho Health)
Can't resist drinking! Pay attention to the 3 No's principle:
- No more than 2 times a week
- Do not drink on an empty stomach
- Do not drink at night
She reminded me that if you want to drink without burdening your body, the best choice is still "sugar-free tea." If you want to add ingredients for flavor, you can choose lower-calorie options like Aiyu jelly, grass jelly, basil seeds, and chia seeds. Alternatively, you can make your sugar-free cold brew tea to carry with you, which is delicious and non-fattening.
